Mick Dan, founder and owner of Good Harvest Organic Farm began his food journey at a young age, growing up in the lush Mary Valley on his grandfathers Pineapple Farm. Later, he had the chance to travel extensively throughout the world and discovered the joy and togetherness that food bought to the many communities he visited.

Upon returning in 2010 from his travels, he set about in essence 'replicating' what he has witnessed across the globe; farmers selling their produce direct to the community. A simple premise and one that would prove challenging in our local area. After canvassing many farmers markets, Mick finally found a farming family that would get on board with his mission and together with five families, he established the Goodliving Food Co-Operative. Kelly joined the cooperative as a member in 2012 and quickly grew to love the mission and went on to provide all levels of administrative support and operational management for the co-op.

Fast forward 3 years, countless local farmers and producers, 80-100 families a week, and 5 locations, the co-op was officially registered as a Cooperative under the new QLD Cooperatives act. In 2014, a group decision was made to deregister the cooperative. Around the same time, Mick travelled through Indonesia and realised he wanted to do more with his mission. 

Returning, he set up a weekly food market at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he lectured at the time (and still does to this day). This was a roaring success and the students were grateful for quality organic local produce at affordable prices.  Making the most of an opportunity, in August 2014 Mick set up Good Harvest retail wholefoods store at Marcoola. 

This small shop on the beach at Marcoola was a hub for organic wholefoods, fresh produce and grocery items, all while supporting local farmers and producers, and providing personalised service to the community.  Concurrently, Mick also purchased some land at Valdora and began growing his own organic produce fed with natural spring water.  With so much produce growing and seeing the chance to add value to the community, the team decided to offer home delivered organic farm boxes to customers. The interest in these grew quickly and the team were soon delivering these as far north as Cooroy and down the south to Little Mountain, all being packed at the humble little retail store. 

In November 2016, sadly, the retail store at Marcoola was destroyed by a fire. Thankfully no one was injured or harmed. Despite losing everything, Mick and Kelly were quick to get back on their feet and continued trading the very next week delivering the organic farm boxes- albeit being packed from a different location. Shortly after this event, Mick and Kelly took a break in Tasmania to attend a friends wedding and spent a few days sight seeing and enjoying the flavours of the region. 

During this trip they stumbled across a small scale semi urban farm that represented everything Mick has ever wanted to achieve with his farming, and aligned all of his environmental principles and ethics, together with growing amazing fresh produce. From there, they returned, revived and ready to grow Good Harvest from the ground up again. 

Fast forward to today, and the farm is looking better than ever! Now leasing land at Woombye (the Valdora farm is taking some rest at the moment), Mick has taken his organic urban farming ethos and created a space that is abundant and in complete symbiosis with the natural environment.

Supported by a great team and amazing community, Good Harvest Organic Farm produce is available to buy farm direct online, and at weekend markets. 

Finally, if you have any questions at all please get in touch with us via phone, email or say hello at the markets. 

Awards & Accolades